A memorial ceremony of prayer and song for slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin took place on Tuesday in Jerusalem, marking one year since the Hebrew date of his murder by Hamas and that of five additional Israeli hostages, known as the “beautiful six.” The six hostages murdered in a tunnel by the terror group after being held captive for 328 days were Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino.
Their bodies were found by the IDF in the Hamas tunnel last year in August, after enduring horrific conditions, including torture and starvation.
The event was non-political and described by the family as a night for “prayer, remembrance, song, and love.” A large crowd with dozens of people gathered in the community, beginning with the Jewish prayer of Mincha.
Parents of Goldberg-Polin, Jon and Rachel, spoke at the event. The two have engaged in the battle to return the hostages since the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023, speaking in front of international audiences, attending rallies, speaking at the UN, and meeting with various world leaders.
Memorial speeches to Hersh
In Rachel’s memorial speech, she addressed her son, saying, “This is to Hersh: Sometimes I look deep into my own eyes, and I know you are here inside, even though I can’t see you.”
“Your eyes that are my eyes. Like the two big oceans that I can no longer see,” she continued.
Jon spoke about Hersh’s legacy: “Hersh, people who live long lives are often memorialized in qualifiable ways – how much they donated, how many years they managed to retain a position of power. You always prioritized things that can’t be quantified – smiling, making other people smile [..] knowledge, and justice.
“Hersh, what greater legacy can be created?”
Goldberg-Polin’s sister spoke about her closeness with her brother to the crowd.
“You will always be my brother. And now you’re the brother of everyone too,” she said.
Friends of Goldberg-Polin began the event by describing the light that he brought to them when he was alive.
“God, how much I miss you. There isn’t a day that I don’t think of you,” one of his friends stated.
“You don’t know how much of a symbol of light you have become,” he added.
Another friend said, “The hole in our hearts after you left us will never be filled. You are with us in every place.”
Six songs were then played in honor of the “beautiful six,” and prayers for the return of the remaining hostages still held captive by Hamas were said.
Goldberg-Polin was born in California before moving to Israel with his family when he was 7. On October 7, 2023, he was abducted by Hamas from the Supernova music festival. During his kidnapping, he was maimed by a grenade, which blew off his left hand.
Gat was taken captive from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. She led hostages in guided yoga exercises and meditation, former hostages reported.
Sarusi was kidnapped from the Supernova music festival. Her partner, Shahar Gindi, was murdered there.
Lobanov, a 32-year-old Russian-Israeli, was also kidnapped from Nova. Lobanov’s wife, Michal, gave birth to their second son in February while her husband was in captivity. Danino was also kidnapped from the music festival and turned 25 in Hamas captivity.
Ahead of the Memorial Day on Tuesday, Goldberg-Polin’s family posted on social media, calling on the public to “do something during those 24 hours to make our complicated world a bit better” in honor of the “beautiful six.”
“It can be something big or small, quiet or loud, private or public. Do it in memory of the Beautiful Six, including our Hersh. May his memory be a revolution... for goodness. If comfortable, please share what you do with us,” the family wrote.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.